Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

School admin job - flexibility with hours

37 replies

Twirldream · 13/01/2022 13:00

I have seen a school admin job (not frontline) that I am considering applying for and it is for the core hours of 8.30 to 4.30pm (4pm on Friday’s). The advert states “Flexibility of start and finish times may be considered for the right applicant.”

How flexible would you think they could be?

I have been investigating childcare for my 6yo and have hit a wall already with availability.

OP posts:
Fallagain · 13/01/2022 13:02

Not much I expect. I think they would be happy with something like 8 until 4 or a smiliar variation.

PickledWilly · 13/01/2022 13:03

Normally this would mean they would allow an 8-4 or 9-5 I would imagine

bonetiredwithtwins · 13/01/2022 13:03

It's a school so presumably an hour max flex around start and finish time

BungleandGeorge · 13/01/2022 13:06

Depends how much they want you over other applicants. If there are no other suitable applicants there could be a fair bit more flexibility! Also depends how many other admin staff there are and what hours they work. As they’ve mentioned flexibility it’s definitely worth asking.

jendifer · 13/01/2022 13:07

I’ve worked in a lot of schools. I’ve experienced lots of places offering about half and hour either way. Often there is more flexibility available if you actually begin ie beginning later one day per week because someone else on the team can cover you etc.

Mundra · 13/01/2022 13:07

Depends on the role and the school! If it's something that needs contact with children and/or staff, they need you there when school is open.

Mundra · 13/01/2022 13:08

Also, if it's something like exams officer, you'd need to be doing extended hours in exams seasons.

LondonQueen · 15/01/2022 11:41

Both our office staff now work 8-4, one used to work 8:30-3:30, and the other 9-4, but it didn't work well.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 15/01/2022 11:48

Depends on exactly what you'd be doing. Exams officers start early during mocks/exams periods and stay late, attendance officers start early, reception start early and finish later, admissions officers, it doesn't really matter when they start or finish, so might do an 8 or 9am start.

Lolabray · 16/01/2022 09:16

Schools are pretty good in the end times but sometimes you have to work over if there is an event. I worked in a school for a long time and pretty much stuck to my start/end time.

Original poster
Twirldream · 16/01/2022 22:21

It’s a shame but I have realised I definitely can’t apply for this role; schools don’t seem to be like other job sectors where you can negotiate reduced hours.

It’s so infuriating that because we can’t get childcare I can’t work unless it’s during school hours. As it stands without childcare, I would be a able to do this job 9.10 to 3pm, which is significantly different to the 8.30-4.30pm advertised. Back to the drawing board I guess Sad

OP posts:
sofakingcool · 16/01/2022 22:30

@Twirldream

It’s a shame but I have realised I definitely can’t apply for this role; schools don’t seem to be like other job sectors where you can negotiate reduced hours.

It’s so infuriating that because we can’t get childcare I can’t work unless it’s during school hours. As it stands without childcare, I would be a able to do this job 9.10 to 3pm, which is significantly different to the 8.30-4.30pm advertised. Back to the drawing board I guess Sad

I don't suppose you know any parents who may be able to help? You could offer to reciprocate in the holidays? It is a big ask though every day
sofakingcool · 16/01/2022 22:31

Also, I assume it isn't your child's school?

DeckTheHallsWithGin · 16/01/2022 22:33

Breakfast club? After school club?

JurgensCakeBabyJesus · 16/01/2022 22:34

So there is no childcare available at all? No ASC? What about a childminder to do pick up and drop off, term time working is valuable when you have young children

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 16/01/2022 22:36

Could you job share?

Original poster
Twirldream · 16/01/2022 22:56

No, it’s not my child’s school but it’s nearby.

The company that does the breakfast and after school clubs in our town said they are full with waiting lists.

The Childcare.co.uk website has not impressed me at all, to the point that it seems a bit of a farce. Hugely out of date, so many listings have DBS/Ofsted warnings from the website itself where the user has not provided these, most only take under 5’s or don’t do before/after school etc (guessing it’s more profitable to have under 5’s all day rather than primary kids for short periods), some users haven’t logged on for several years!

I want rock solid childcare so I am not prepared to ask another school mum, who will have little incentive to not let us down plus I do want evidence (ie DBS etc) to show that my child will be safe and cared for.

So I think we will add DC’s name to the club waiting lists and the job hunt goes on.

OP posts:
sabrinatheteenagemortal · 16/01/2022 23:21

I would say it's worth applying anyway, but being upfront about the hours you do. Or at least reaching out and asking them. It may be they are so desperate that shorter hours are better than nothing, or there is someone else to share the job. Worth an ask. We have struggled at times to get admin staff.

MrsPepperPot2022 · 16/01/2022 23:28

@Twirldream

It’s a shame but I have realised I definitely can’t apply for this role; schools don’t seem to be like other job sectors where you can negotiate reduced hours.

It’s so infuriating that because we can’t get childcare I can’t work unless it’s during school hours. As it stands without childcare, I would be a able to do this job 9.10 to 3pm, which is significantly different to the 8.30-4.30pm advertised. Back to the drawing board I guess Sad

You’re looking for a job that accommodates school hours? They’re like hens teeth! If your partner works days why not work nights or vice versa to do wrap round child care of that’s what you need?
gogohm · 16/01/2022 23:35

If you live with your dp, can they do either the drop or pick up? Otherwise look for 25 hour a week contracts, I used to work that and currently work 20 in fact, flexible

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 16/01/2022 23:41

Don't worry about the warnings on childcare.co.uk. Just ask to see the certificates when you visit. For some reason this random advertising website is now insisting providers upload their personal documents. It's not their business to be checking, they aren't the regulator.

Talipesmum · 16/01/2022 23:46

@Twirldream

No, it’s not my child’s school but it’s nearby.

The company that does the breakfast and after school clubs in our town said they are full with waiting lists.

The Childcare.co.uk website has not impressed me at all, to the point that it seems a bit of a farce. Hugely out of date, so many listings have DBS/Ofsted warnings from the website itself where the user has not provided these, most only take under 5’s or don’t do before/after school etc (guessing it’s more profitable to have under 5’s all day rather than primary kids for short periods), some users haven’t logged on for several years!

I want rock solid childcare so I am not prepared to ask another school mum, who will have little incentive to not let us down plus I do want evidence (ie DBS etc) to show that my child will be safe and cared for.

So I think we will add DC’s name to the club waiting lists and the job hunt goes on.

That childcare website is often very out of date - it doesn’t mean the childminders are bad. They are often found through word of mouth and often don’t need to advertise. But if you haven’t (though you may well have done) it’s worth seeing what lists the local council has (ours lists all ofsted registered childcare providers) and contacting them one by one that way. Just because they don’t update the childcare website doesn’t mean they are not available etc. Worth phoning round them all if you haven’t already. It is a real challenge though, and it’s true some don’t have many spaces for school wraparound care- it’s hard for them to break even if they don’t have enough full time children. Good luck x
Meowwwwwww · 16/01/2022 23:49

Don’t rely on what random MNers say. It can’t hurt to apply! Every situation is different. Don’t count yourself out before you even begin.

OverTheRubicon · 16/01/2022 23:58

Agree with.@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat, many providers do not choose to upload documents but for childminders in particular, they will have them for legal reasons - for babysitters or nannies they might not (especially because most professional and Ofsted registered nannies are not going to take on a 1 hour job), but some do and you can always organise it yourself. It might well not be that long until a space comes up, so it's worth it even if there's a patchwork of fixes in the short term.

I'm guessing you were probably just frustrated about childcare.co.uk, but the way you wrote it was a bit tone deaf. Do you think that the rest of us care that our children are safe and cared for? Most parents do have to work, and the majority of us are not able to do it for school hours only, especially those of us who are single parents. There will be childcare options for you.

NoSquirrels · 17/01/2022 00:12

You’re being a little bit weird about childcare.co.uk

Post an ad. See who replies. Check them out thoroughly.

That’s it. Obviously if you’re searching and getting years old postings those people aren’t currently active so they’re no good to you.

Think of it more like FB than LinkedIn.

Swipe left for the next trending thread